²¹ When Reuben^(A) heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.^{(B) 22} “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern^(C) here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.^(D)

³⁷ Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,^(A) and I will bring him back.”^(B)

³⁸ But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead^(C) and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him^(D) on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave^(E) in sorrow.^(F)”

¹¹ Then their father Israel^(A) said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products^(B) of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift^(C)—a little balm^(D) and a little honey, some spices^(E) and myrrh,^(F) some pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double the amount^(G) of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks.^(H) Perhaps it was a mistake. ¹³ Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.^{(I) 14} And may God Almighty^[a](J) grant you mercy^(K) before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.^(L) As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”^(M)